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La Mesa Becomes First Local City Certified as Age-Friendly Employer, Helping Job Seekers Age 50 and Up

Printer-friendly version East County News Service July 13, 2025 (La Mesa) — The City of La Mesa has been designated as a Certified Age-Friendly Employer (CAFE) by the Age-Friendly Institute, becoming the first municipal government in San Diego County to receive the CAFE seal. This recognition highlights the City’s commitment to inclusive hiring practices and support for a multigenerational workforce.

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You’re Invited! July 17 Feast at Himalayan Cuisine in La Mesa with East County Magazine’s Dining Club

Printer-friendly version You’re invited to East County Magazine’ s DIning Club feast at Himalayan Cuisine in La Mesa on Thursday, July 17 at 6:30 p.m.  All proceeds benefit our local news reporting and our wildfire and emergency alerts! Everyone is welcome to attend. Himalayan Cuisine features delicious cuisine from Nepal, Tibet and India.  Plus we’ll have a fabulous raffle with many great

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La Mesa Grandmother Detained By Ice While Serving as Legal Observer for Immigrants at Courthouse

Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery July 11, 2025 (La Mesa) – La Mesa resident Barbara Stone, a 71-year old U.S. citizen and courthouse observer at immigration proceedings,  is free tonight after being detained by Immigrants and Customs agents (ICE) for eight hours without access to an attorney, according to her daughter and witnesses. Jessica Kort, posted a plea for help

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Ramona Man Killed in Two-Vehicle Crash

Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service   July 11, 2025 (Ramona) – A 35-year-old Ramona man died at the scene of a two-vehicle crash on State Route 67 in Ramona on Wednesday, July 9.   The victim was driving a Lexus southbound on state Route 67 near Brantner Lane when for unknown reasons, his vehicle crossed the center line and crashed

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County Extending Mosquito Spraying in La Mesa Early Mon. and Tues.

Printer-friendly version  East County News Services   July 11, 2025 (San Diego County) — San Diego County officials plan to expand and extend ultra-low volume, truck-mounted, pesticide-mist treatments between 1 a.m. and 6 a.m. Monday and Tuesday mornings in parts of La Mesa to reduce mosquito populations and protect the public from the potential spread of West Nile virus.   County

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Suspects Arrested for Wells Park Murder in El Cajon

Printer-friendly versionVictim’s family held a press conference shortly after the killing to ask the public for help to find the killers (Photo via ECM news partner 10 News)   East County News Service   July 11, 2025 (El Cajon) – The El Cajon Police Department has announced the arrest of two men on suspicion of murdering Deandre Bryant at Wells

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Springs Fire Sparks Evacuations in Jamul

Printer-friendly version East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts Update July 11, 2025 8:30 a.m.– The Springs Fire has been held to 50 acres and is now 20% contained, per Cal Fire. Evacuation orders and warnings remain in place. Cause of the Springs Fire was a vehicle with a malfunctioning catalytic converter, per Cal Fire. July 10, 2025 (Jamul) — Three

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TODDLER DIES FROM FALL OUT LA MESA WINDOW

Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery July 10, 2025 (La Mesa) – A 14-month old baby boy has died after falling from the second-story window of his family’s housing unit on Valley View Circle in La Mesa on July 5.  The Medical Examiner’s office has identified the victim as Kent Adam LaFave. After a 911 call was made, La Mesa Police

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Lemon Grove Councilman and Helix Football Coach Steve Faiai Dies

Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery   July 10, 2025 (Lemon Grove) – Community members are grieving the loss of Sitivi “Steve” Faiai.   The Lemon Grove City Councilmember and Helix High football coach died Tuesday morning of an apparent heart attack, according to the city.   Faiai, 50, was an active member of Journey Church and also worked at Sprouts grocery

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GETTING READY TO RUN? : COUNTY DEMOCRATS OFFER CANDIDATE TRAINING JULY 11

Printer-friendly versionThe County Democratic Party seeks community-minded Democrats to serve on city councils, school boards, water boards and other local boards and commissions. In its efforts to recruit candidates for 2010, the Party is holding a training event for local Democrats planning or considering running for office. The event will be held Saturday, July 11, from 9 a.m. to 3

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FOOTSORE NO MORE: CUSTOMERS & CHAMBER MEMBERS JOIN IN 5-YEAR CELEBRATION WITH Z-COIL PAIN RELIEF FOOTWEAR

Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery June 27, 2009 (La Mesa)—“We’re changing many people’s lives. Our customers are getting off of canes, back on their feet, and back to work,” Linda Telge, a registered nurse and owner of Z-Coil Pain Relief Footwear in La Mesa, told me at the store’s five year anniversary party hosted by the La Mesa Chamber of Commerce

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SANTEE WOMAN FIGHTS OFF RAPIST, NEIGHBOR ARRESTED

Printer-friendly versionSantee (June 26, 2009)–A woman who was attacked as she slept in her apartment in Santee on Wednesday afternoon, June 24 successfully fought off an assailant who attempted to rape her, according to the San Diego County Sheriff. The victim,42, identified her attacker as a neighbor, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported. He was arrested shortly afterward in his apartment

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HUNTER SUCCESSFULLY OFFERS MEDAL OF HONOR AMENDMENT

Printer-friendly version June 27, 2009 (Washington DC) – The House Armed Services Committee has accepted an amendment offered by Congressman Duncan D. Hunter (R-Alpine) requiring the Secretary of Defense to review the Medal of Honor awards process. Since the start of combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, there has not been a single living recipient of the Medal of Honor.

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SANTEE LEADERS VOTE TO FILE NEW LAWSUIT AFTER SUPERVISORS VOTE TO EXPAND LAS COLINAS PRISON

Printer-friendly versionJune 26, 2009 (Santee, California) – On Wednesday, June 24, 2009, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors approved a plan to replace and expand the Las Colinas Detention Facility from 15 acres to 45 acres and certified the final environmental impact report (EIR) for the facility. The vote was 4-1 with Supervisor Dianne Jacob opposing the expansion. On

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A ROARING WILD TIME: SPEND THE NIGHT AT LIONS, TIGERS & BEARS JULY 10 & 24

Printer-friendly versionJune 27, 2009 (Alpine_ Looking for a wild time? East County’s only big cat sanctuary invites you to spend a wild night in the country with Raja and Bakari at Lions Tigers & Bears. Pitch a tent and set-up camp next to the big cats–or opt for more luxurious lodging–complete with wine and dinner. Accommodations for campers include a

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WATCH FINE PRINT ON OFFER OF “FREE” MONTH TRASH SERVICE SERVICE

Printer-friendly versionJune 25, 2009 (Deerhorn Valley) – Waste Management has sent a notice to customers offering a free month’s service to customers who sign and return a letter agreement mailed to residents asking help to“update our records”—but there’s a big catch. “Read the fine print on the back,” warns Rob Deason, webmaster for www.deerhornvalley.net , a community website in East

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HUNDREDS PROTEST BUDGET CUTS IMPACT ON POOR, SICK & DISABLED AT GOVERNOR’S SAN DIEGO OFFICE

Printer-friendly version  By Miriam Raftery   June 23, 2009 (San Diego)– An estimated 200 to 300 people turned out to protest state budget cuts in San Diego, outside Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s office downtown. Some carried coffins and a skeleton sign—grim symbols of the consequences they believe will result from severe cuts to health and social services programs.   Ann Menasche,

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SUPERVISORS URGE CPUC TO PULL PLUG ON SDG&E PLAN TO SHUT OFF POWER DURING HIGH FIRE RISK DAYS

Printer-friendly version""There is no evidence that the shut-off plan will prevent fires. But…in a matter of hours, we will be left without electricity and our customers will be left without water…SDG&E will create actual emergencies," – Jennifer Healy, Padre Dam Municipal Water District   By Miriam Raftery ECU Intern Kyle Sezian also contributed to this story June 23, 2009 (San

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RALLY & MARCH TUESDAY JUNE 23 TO STOP STATE BUDGET CUTS: SIT-IN PLANNED AT GOVERNOR’S OFFICE IN SAN DIEGO

Printer-friendly versionJune 20, 2009 (San Diego)–People United Against Cuts is a local coalition formed to oppose the Governor’s recent “All Cuts” budget. A press released issued by the group states, “The Governor’s proposed budget will have a catastrophic impact on children, seniors, people with disabilities, low income families, college students and HIV/AIDS patients. On June 23, 2009, we will hold

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